THE PREADOLESCENT PERIOD 441
Slowness in sexual maturity disturbs another small group
of children.
Physical acceleration coupled with mental retardation is
an especially disturbing form of development. In the tra-
ditional school such an individual's mental status places him
with children much below him in size. His size may en-
courage a tendency to bully smaller children. Owing to
his apparent maturity he is constantly prodded to achieve
beyond his real ability. This creates a situation which is
likely to generate emotional storms, lead to antisocial con-
duct, and possibly to delinquency.
OTHER HEALTH FACTORS
The years from nine to twelve frequently tend to be the
most healthy years of a child's life. A number of reasons
in addition to the major factor that at this time children
have the opportunity to consolidate their previous growth
gains, contribute to making this a sturdy period In the
close contacts of the classroom and street, the children
already have been exposed to the communicable diseases of
childhood. Many, especially among the poorer children,
have gained specific immunity by having caught some of the
"children's diseases."
Under hygienic conditions the child of this age should be
free from headache due to eyestrain, digestive disturbances,
and other causes. Under proper lighting conditions and
freedom from pressure his eyes should never smart or feel
tired or strained.
His skin should be clear, free from pimples and black-
heads. His teeth should be clean and devoid of cavities.
His throat should show no inflammation or enlarged or
diseased tonsils. He should breathe easily through either
nostril and not breathe habitually through the mouth.
His appetite should be hearty and digestive disturbances
minimized by serving him well-planned meals to be eaten
under favorable conditions. In view of the fact that fast-
growing children frequently need more food than their
mothers, care should be taken that the child does not eat